hash things out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hash things out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of discussing and resolving a disagreement or issue through conversation. Example: "We need to hash things out before making a final decision on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I'm used to being in business, when you have a half-hour and you can hash things out, you can wax philosophical about things," Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times

"We're going to sit down tonight and hash things out," said Perks, the only player to capture his first PGA Tour victory at the Players Championship.

The New York Times - Sports

But even now, while lawmakers hash things out behind closed doors, consumers can make some preliminary assessments of the bills that have been passed by Congressional committees.

The New York Times

But, in the end, the point of Occupy Wall Street is not its platform so much as its form: people sit down and hash things out instead of passing their complaints on to Washington.

The New Yorker

I would love to say that I am psyching myself up to stop caring about what is expected of me and sit down and hash things out with Dan.

The New York Times

Did the powers who have interfered in Syria from the beginning of the uprising in March 2011 get together and demand that their respective clients sit at a negotiating table and hash things out with words rather than bullets?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This is Afghan democracy: hashing things out over tea.

The New York Times

Vice President Joseph Biden spent so many hundreds of hours hashing things out with Iraqi officials that he knew the names of their grandchildren — just as Bill Clinton could reel off street names during the peace effort in Northern Ireland.

The New York Times

Will they call it the iPhone even though they haven't hashed things out with Cisco?

TechCrunch

"We spent long hours hashing things out, and tears flowed," says Bakke, who finally agreed to institute a more stringent reporting policy.

Forbes

Honeywell clearly thinks that Nest owes them something, Nest made it clear from the beginning that they wouldn't be pushed around, and it's unlikely that any amount of back-and-forth on paper would've hashed things out — now all that's left is to wait until the U.S. District Court of Minnesota lays out the rest of the court schedule come June.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hash things out" when you want to convey a sense of direct and open discussion aimed at resolving a problem or disagreement. It's suitable for situations where a straightforward approach is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "hash things out" in highly formal or professional writing. While acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal for certain audiences. Opt for more formal alternatives like "resolve the issues" or "address the concerns" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hash things out" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing the process of resolving disagreements or clarifying issues through discussion. It suggests a deliberate effort to reach a consensus or understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hash things out" is a common and generally acceptable idiomatic expression used to describe the act of discussing issues thoroughly to reach a resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English writing. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it can be used in various informal settings. However, it's best to avoid it in highly formal or professional communications, opting for alternatives like "resolve the issues" or "address the concerns". To ensure clarity and appropriateness, always consider your audience and the context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort out the details

Focuses on clarifying and organizing the specifics of a situation.

iron out the differences

Emphasizes reducing or eliminating discrepancies.

work through the issues

Highlights a step-by-step approach to resolving problems.

thrash out an agreement

Implies a more intense and possibly argumentative discussion to reach a consensus.

come to terms

Focuses on reaching an understanding or acceptance of a situation.

talk it over

A more general term for discussing a problem.

hammer out a deal

Suggests persistent effort to finalize an agreement.

resolve the matter

Highlights the act of bringing something to a conclusion.

settle the dispute

Implies ending a disagreement or conflict.

clear the air

Focuses on resolving tension or misunderstandings.

FAQs

How can I use "hash things out" in a sentence?

You can use "hash things out" to describe a situation where people are discussing a problem in order to find a solution. For example, "We need to "hash things out" before making a decision".

What's a less informal way to say "hash things out"?

If you want to sound more formal, you can use alternatives like "resolve the issues", "address the concerns", or "settle the dispute".

Is it appropriate to use "hash things out" in professional emails?

While "hash things out" is understandable, it might be too casual for some professional contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of the email. More formal options might be more suitable.

What does it mean to "hash something out"?

To ""hash things out"" means to discuss something thoroughly in order to reach an agreement or resolve a problem. It implies a direct and open conversation.